March 29, 2024

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Austin, Travis County Issue New Orders

This article originally appeared on the Austin Patch

AUSTIN, TX — Austin and Travis County on Friday implemented new orders to align with statewide restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of new coronavirus, officials said.

The new orders are effective May 1, unless otherwise terminated or modified by a subsequent order that would supplant the new guidelines, officials said. The orders’ overall theme: “Staying home is safest.”

The overall purpose of the new orders reflects those of the governor issued on Thursday. Although Austin and Travis County had already banned gatherings of 10 people or more and ordered the closures of bars and restaurants, Texas governor’s order issued this week making such prohibitions statewide.

View the City of Austin’s Order HERE.

The Austin-Travis County orders double as clarification to questions that have arisen related to having more than 10 people in a work environment in a single large place not in close proximity to one another. The orders also add childcare as an exemption to the prohibitions.

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Moreover, the order recognizes that health officials are not able at this point to require the same social spacing in homeless camps, but protecting this vulnerable part of our community remains a highest priority, officials said.

“This new action will continue to move us closer to reducing the spread of this virus, by providing more clarity to individuals and businesses so we can all do our part and get through this crisis together,” Austin Mayor Steve Adler said in a prepared statement.

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Added Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt: “Today’s order supplants and is different from my March 17 Order in that it takes into consideration Gov. Abbott’s March 19 order. Gov. Abbott’s order set our state-wide baseline. Our local response team will continue to confer on additional measures above this baseline necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19 and flatten the curve in Travis County.”

The new Austin-Travis County orders reinforce the importance of social (physical) distancing, officials noted. Gatherings of more than 10 people for other-than-social purposes are also prohibited unless social distancing can be maintained and controlled, according to the orders. Social distancing is defined as maintaining and controlling a minimum of six feet of separation between people other than during incidental and momentary passing.

The new orders also more clearly define the agencies considered “critical infrastructure,” which are compelled to continue operating while being encouraged to implement screening precautions to protect employees. These critical infrastructure entities are:

The following categories are added to the list of services exempted from restrictions and are strongly encouraged to comply with physical distancing and sanitation measures:

  • Family-home or center-based childcare facilities.

  • Veterinarian services.

  • Homeless shelters, homeless encampments, and any non-profit community establishment, whether part of or separate from a homeless shelter, providing food in a dining facility to the indigent.

The following exemptions from restrictions were on the previous orders and carry over to the new version:

  • Grocery stores and pharmacies.

  • Hospitals and medical offices and facilities.

  • Government buildings providing essential services.

  • Schools or institutes of higher learning.

The governor’s office issued a statewide order on March 19 that effectively closed the following business or organization types that had not been closed under the previous Austin-Travis County Orders:

  • Schools.

  • Massage parlors.

  • Gyms.

  • Visiting nursing homes, retirement, or long-term care facilities is prohibited unless providing critical assistance.

The statewide order is in effect until April 3 unless extended by the Governor’s Office. The intent of the new Austin and Travis County Orders is for when the governor lifts the closure order on schools then they will be able to re-open at their discretion.

Since their introduction on Tuesday, March 17, officials noted, Austin’s service industry establishments have overwhelmingly complied with the Austin and Travis County orders to close bars and move restaurants to take-out service only.

City of Austin Public Assembly Code Enforcement Teams (PACE) and Code Compliance Officers are responding to 3-1-1 complaints, officials said. Once reported, the teams confirm whether there is a violation before providing education and information about the restrictions and answering questions to help businesses and property owners gain an understanding of the orders and comply voluntarily.

For those found in non-compliance a verbal warning is issued and information provided. As a last resort, officials said, a citation may be issued, as a last resort, if voluntary compliance is not achieved after the initial communication and inspection. PACE teams and Code officers have so far visited 158 establishments in response to complaints received through Austin 3-1-1. To date no citations have been issued, officials added.

“Our goal right now is voluntary compliance,” Interim Director of Austin Code Compliance José Roig said in a prepared statement. “We are responding to calls, offering guidance and have seen overwhelming voluntary compliance. We understand these are unprecedented times. We are grateful for and appreciate the cooperation of the Austin community and business owners.”

Economic Development Director Veronica Briseño expressed empathy for the business community amid uncertain times: “We understand the recent restrictions have resulted in a significant economic impact. These new Orders are designed to provide clarity and certainty for Austin’s businesses and workforce during these extraordinary times,” said“Austin is a resilient city. The expectation is that we all comply with physical distancing now so we can stop the spread of this disease and return to a healthy economy as quickly as possible.”

Public health officials said they are relying on individuals and businesses to exercise personal responsibility and use social, or physical, distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Community members are encouraged to call 3-1-1 if they see a violation. Residents of Austin and Travis County are being asked to increase efforts to protect the at-risk population after initial investigation reports from Austin Public Health showed evidence of a community spread of COVID-19.

“While it is still early in the epidemiologists’ investigation into the severity of the spread, officials say a critical point has been reached and it is important the public understand that individuals’ actions will impact the health of the whole community,” the city wrote in its advisory.

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